Slovak Prime Minister Accuses Ukraine of Blocking Russian Oil Pipeline for Political Gain
The Ukrainian government is delaying the restart of the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil to several Central European nations, in an attempt to pressure Hungary, according to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Fico made the accusation on Sunday following a meeting with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio in Bratislava.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported on Thursday that oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline had been suspended since January 27th due to a Russian attack.
“We have information that the pipeline could already be repaired,” Fico stated. “I view the situation with oil as political blackmail against Hungary due to its uncompromising stance on Ukraine’s EU membership.”
Fico suggested that the pressure tactic appears to be conditional: “that if Hungary agrees to EU membership, oil might perhaps start flowing again.”
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Slovakia’s prime minister also indicated that Bratislava would only support Ukraine’s European integration if Kyiv fulfills all necessary preconditions. He further emphasized that candidate countries Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro are better prepared for accession than Ukraine.
Fico also stated he could not definitively determine who was responsible for the damage to the pipeline. “There have been so many lies from both sides that say with certainty who bombed or destroyed part of the oil infrastructure,” he added.
Pipeline Attack Disrupts Oil Supplies to Hungary and Slovakia
– Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia could be suspended for at least five days following a Ukrainian strike on a facility within Russia, officials from both countries said. The incident marks a widening of the fallout from Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Both Russia and Ukraine have recently escalated attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, targeting Ukrainian domestic heating supplies, Russia’s Druzhba pipeline, and other facilities. This increase in attacks coincides with efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a deal to end the conflict.
The European Union has reduced its reliance on energy supplies from Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in and is aiming to phase out Russian oil and gas by the end of .
However, EU members Slovakia and Hungary have maintained relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin and have opposed sanctions against Russia that Ukraine deems crucial for compelling Moscow to modify its war demands. They also resist the complete phase-out of Russian energy supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán published a letter on addressed to Mr. Trump, in which he stated that Ukraine attacked the Druzhba pipeline shortly before the U.S. President’s meeting with Mr. Putin in Alaska on .
Ukraine Denies Blocking Oil Shipments
Ukraine has denied accusations from Hungary that it deliberately blocked Russian crude oil shipments, according to reports from . The denial came after Hungary claimed the blockage followed a Russian strike on a key pipeline.
